It's been a while since I read a fiction book, just that, no mystery, etc. just a story to be told. This one came as a recommendation from Canadian Reader: The Bordeaux Book Club, by Gillian Harvey. It's a small book club, made up of Brits who, for various reasons, now live in France. Happy to be there, yes, but it's also nice to be with a group that speaks English! It's an interesting group ... male and female, retired to college age, and all with 'something' going on in their lives. They become friends and family, too as they learn more about each other. One of the things I found charming is that the books they read and discuss are old, classics and yet, the men (middle aged, and college aged) are enjoying them too ... I would not expect that (blushing emoticon here)! AND they have a much different perspective on said classic, too! A most engaging read.

On a roll here, it seems, How to Age Disgracefully, by Clare Pooley is also 'not a mystery' book. :-) Again, it's an interesting group: an empty nester, with a part time job at the local community center expects to entertain the senior citizens with games of bridge and puzzles. So not going to happen! The center also is home to a much needed day care center, and meeting rooms for AA and so on. When it comes under the threat of being torn down the seniors decide to take action. Wonderful characters include a woman with a checkered past she is trying to hide and a former actor (who always had work, but usually as 'one of the crowd' or 'the corpse'). There is a teen aged father who discovered he loves being a dad! He wants to go on for more schooling, though, so the day care is something he depends on during the day. There is a dog, too, who, when her owner dies finds home(s) with several of the seniors (with different results). Again, you learn more about each character as the book goes on, and how they come together to help each other through some difficult times. Just a great read!

Reading Hermit With Dog